Insomnia: a common problem—with serious effects

Obtaining enough quality sleep is a problem that affects many people, athletes and non-athletes alike. An estimated 30-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia (Latin for "no sleep"), and 10% have chronic insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 50% of American adults experience one or more symptom of insomnia at least some nights over the course of a week. A 2005 survey reported the following frequently experienced symptoms:

38% woke up feeling un-refreshed

32% wake often during the night

21% reported waking too early, not being able to get back to sleep and difficulty falling asleep.

Given today's stressors, it would not surprise me if those numbers now were much higher.

I have often found - and there's a good chance you have as well - that falling asleep quickly and staying asleep can be a real challenge, and especially after a tough training day and/or in the days leading up to a race. These specific times, when your body really needs a full amount of sleep, may be when it gets the least . . . definitely not a good scenario.

If you're suffering from part-time to chronic insomnia, there is a good chance that you have increased levels of stress hormones in your blood, which may compromise your immune system, potentially increasing your risk for becoming ill. In addition, the precious time you spend sleeping is the time your body needs to rebuild muscle tissue. Less sleep equals less time for complete and thorough recovery, which in turn, equals declining performance over time.

Needless to say, the important connection between high quality sleep and health and athletic performance is hard to overstate. If you hope to train hard without compromising your immune system, and if you want to ensure that youre well rested in the days leading up to a race, you need to make sure youre getting adequate sleep. That's where REM Caps comes in. Its unique formula - a proprietary blend of specific nutrients in therapeutic doses, all working synergistically - WILL help you derive the full benefits from a complete and thorough sleep. REM Caps is the safe and effective way to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

The REM Caps formula

1.) Valerian Root Extract - Valerian is perhaps the most widely used herb for the treatment of nervousness, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Valerian is also beneficial for improving circulation, helping to lower high blood pressure, reducing mucus accumulation during colds, relieving muscle cramps, and helping to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2.) Melatonin - Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced and secreted by the pineal gland, a tiny organ in the brain. Melatonin is responsible for regulating the biological rhythms in humans and is an effective aid for alleviating insomnia. Dr. Bill Misner writes, "Melatonin has growth hormone and REM-sleep quality implications, both of which are important to optimal recovery from extreme or intense workout sessions."

Additionally, melatonin is a very powerful antioxidant. One well-known nutritionist has stated that melatonin is "one of the most powerful antioxidants ever discovered with a greater range of effectiveness than vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta-carotene . . ." Another highly respected nutritionist writes, "Melatonin neutralizes one of the most damaging free radicals, and does so five times more effectively than the antioxidant enzyme glutathione . . ." Speaking of glutathione, melatonin increases the endogenous production of this powerful antioxidant.

Due to its antioxidant benefits, melatonin has been shown to be a powerful immune system stimulator and a substance that is garnering substantial attention as having potential anti-aging properties. The latter benefit is primarily due to the studies done by The Spanish Ageing Research Network, where researchers found that orally administered melatonin can help delay the effects of aging in mice. When the mice were given melatonin at the age of five months (an equivalent age as a 30-year-old human), the researchers found that melatonin neutralized aging-associated oxidative stress and inflammation, and delayed their effects. While it has yet to be determined whether these results are applicable to humans, it is certainly promising, with the researchers hoping that melatonin supplementation will help aid in the prevention of age-related diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

3.) 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) - 5-HTP is isolated from the seed of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant and is a natural precursor of the hormone serotonin that, along with melatonin and valerian, helps to prevent insomnia. Along with melatonin, 5-HTP also enhances the release of growth hormone during sleep. In addition, several other low-serotonin-level conditions are aided by the use of 5-HTP:

Depression

Carbohydrate craving

Tension and Migraine headaches

Premenstrual syndrome

Fibromyalgia

Note: People taking SSRI antidepressants should consult with their physician prior to taking 5-HTP.

4.) Magnesium (as Amino Acid Chelate) - Of the dozens and dozens of roles magnesium plays in the body, one of the primary benefits for aiding sleep is that it helps the muscles to relax. Along with the valerian in REM Caps, magnesium may provide noticeable relief for anyone suffering from night cramping.

5.) Enzyme Enhancement System™ (proprietary blend of protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, phytase) - The aging process can deplete/diminish the amounts of digestive enzymes the body produces. Adding enzymes to products works with the body, replenishing what it no longer can provide, and help a person absorb and assimilate the maximal amount possible.

Bottom line:

Coach Llerandi states, "If you've got your training program dialed in but aren't performing up to expectations, increasing your sleep could be the missing piece of the puzzle." Unfortunately, in today's stressful world it's often difficult to obtain adequate sleep. You don't have to let that happen.

REM Caps is the solution, and it's ready to go to work for you. Its nutrient combination allows you to reap the health and performance benefits of a more sound, restful, and productive sleep. You'll also gain many other, overall health benefits from the regular use of REM Caps, whether you have sleeping issues or not.

We suggest taking one to three capsules 60 minutes prior to sleep. Start with the lowest dose, as that will provide 3 mg of melatonin, which works for most people.

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Hammer Nutrition

Founded in 1987 by Brian Frank, Hammer Nutrition provides superlative products, proprietary knowledge, and 5-star service to health conscious athletes all over the world.